Writer and Geek Show

Here is the second part of our conversation with Nikesh Murali, the producer of Indian Noir about horror and why humans are fascinated with the genre. Find Nikesh online: Indian Noir Nikesh’s website unsplash-logosebastiaan stam

This week, we discuss more about why humans are fascinated with the horror genre.

In this episode, we sit down and chat with Nikesh Murali, the producer of Indian Noir about horror and why humans are fascinated with the genre. Find Nikesh online: Indian Noir Nikesh’s website unsplash-logosebastiaan stam

This week, we why humans are fascinated with the horror genre.

What is ejection seat? The ejection seat is a safety mechanism primarily used in aircraft to save a pilot or a passenger by propelling the seat out of the disabled aircraft. An explosive charge or rocket is used to propel the seat to a safe distance and a parachute takes care of the rest of the journey down to the ground. Everald Calthorp who earlier had invented parachutes devised an ejection seat that used compressed air. Romanian inventor Ananstase Dragomir proposed the modern layout for ejection seats in the late 1920s. The parachuted cell design was tested on 25 August 1929 in Paris and got the design patented. The technique used before ejection seat was to simply jump out of the aircraft which in most cases was difficult as it would cause injury and was dangerous. As with most of the things, World War II led to the development and perfection of parachutes. Heinkel and SAAB developed the ejection seat independently. These early models were compressed air powered seats. Heinkel HE 280, the prototype jet fighter, had an ejection system built into it. The Process If there arises a scenario where ejection is imminent, the command “eject” is used as an early warning that a possible ejection is coming up in next 30 or so seconds. At the critical moment, the command “bailout” is used and the crew ejects. The sequence: When the pilot activates the ejection system, first the canopy is blown off or opened. The pilot and the seat are launched through the opening. During ejection, a catapult propels the seat up the rails and then the rocket engine takes over. The canopy forms another part of the ejection system. Most of the aircraft are designed in a way where the canopy is blown off the aircraft. In some cases to avoid delay or seat hitting the canopy, a specially designed canopy filled with explosive charges embedded within the acrylic canopy which when initiated, shatters the canopy above and the seat is ejected a few seconds later. In some other aircraft without canopy, the seats are ejected through hatches. B-52 bombers had ejection seats that were ejected through the hatches, four in the roof and two on the floor. unsplash-logo Vishu Gowda

This week, we talk about the scary lifesaver - the ejection seat

This week, the boys sit down to discuss life 'n' stuff.

In this episode, the boys sit down to discuss life ‘n’ stuff.

This week, Vishnu is joined by Naga Subramanya from Passion People Podcast to discuss personal finance

In this episode, Vishnu is joined by friend and fellow podcast producer Naga Subramanya from The Passion Poeple Podcast to discuss personal finance. Vishnu is a noob and Naga is an expert when it comes to personal finance. Enjoy their conversation, there are many gems of knowledge in this one. Some of the stuff we discuss: Power of compounding Mutual funds Saving then spending Credit Cards and Debt Loans Insurance and why term insurance. You can reach out to Naga here: The Passion People Podcast Passion Poeple Podcast on Twitter Naga’s email: naagasubramanya@gmail.com unsplash-logo Sharon McCutcheon

This week, we talk about the tribe of Cholanaikkans

The Cholanaikkans are an ethnic group of India, primarily inhabiting the southern Kerala State, especially Silent Valley National Park. They are one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes of the region. Population: 190-200 (2001 census: 360~) Found in the late 1970s Live in caves and rely on hunting and gathering Do not cultivate due to the destruction of produce by animals such as elephants Said to have moved to South due to natural disasters such as floods or fleeing due to their defeat under the dynasties from the North Worships trees and follow animism which is the belief that everything (living or non-living) is bound by some spiritual connection They are short in stature, wheatish to dark complexion, and well-built Have their own distinctive language Follow a patriarchal family structure The literacy rate is around 16% with one graduate among them. Most drop out after one semester in school We also talk about the Sentinelese from the Sentinel Islands. Enjoy! Image credits: Dhruvaraj S from India - A Cholanaikkan Nilambur. Cropped 1:1 ratio.

This week, we talk about good humble 'ol toilets

History of toilets Toilets and sewers came into being as early as 3000 B.C. Mohenjodaro had earliest forms of toilet which resembled western toilets. Waste was deposited into pits or drains. In Harappa, a primitive form of water cleaning toilet was used which utilised flowing water to remove waste. Indus valley civilisation is well known for its network of sewers built under the ground. In the west, toilets that used water were built in the Orkney Islands on the northern tip of Scotland dating back to 3100 B.C - 2500 B.C. By 18th century B.C, toilets made appearances in Egypt, parts of Greece and Persia. Remains of toilets have been found from a Neolithic village in Vietnam dating back to 1500 B.C. Romans used public toilets along with public baths. These toilets were elevated platforms over sewers that were periodically flushed with water. Greeks and Romans also used Chamber Pots that were brought to public meal and drinking parties! Yeah, let them sink in for a moment. Han dynasty in China used Pig toilets. An outhouse was connected to a pigsty and the waste was consumed by the pigs. Hence the reputation Pork! During medieval times Garderobes were used as toilets, especially in Castles. Basically, a flat piece of wood or stone spanning from wall to wall with a hole in the middle. The holes were placed above pipes that dropped the waste outside the wall of the room. Usually these rooms were placed away from bedrooms to prevent smell and sometimes near kitchen or fireplace for warmth. Chamber pots were also extensively used in medieval times. The waste was excreted into pots made of metal or ceramic and they were emptied into street gutters. Rural Denmark, until 18th century, had no toilets. Instead, people defecated in farmlands so that the waste could be used as manure for the crop. Cycle of life! By 16th century, to avoid the clogging on gutters around the streets, cesspools and cesspits were dug near houses to collect waste. The toilet was connected to the cesspools by a pipe with sometimes water to clean the waste. Gong farmers cleaned out these pits by pumping out the liquid waste and removing the solid waste. This was done mostly during the night and the solid waste came to be known as the night soil and was used as manure. While water closets were something that wealthy could afford, the working class and in towns and cities, Privy Midden and Pail closets were used. Privy midden was an outhouse with a waste dump and had a bad reputation for being difficult to clean. Pail closet was a toilet with a bucket into which people defecated and local authorities cleaned out the buckets on regular basis and either got rid of the waste or used it as manure. It was not until early 19th century that public sanitation was considered a necessity and mid 19the century is when underground sewer networks were constructed to carry away waste. The building codes in London did not require an indoor toilet until after the First World War. Water closet, although invented during the Tudor era in 1596 by Sir John Harington, Queen Elizabeth’s godson, it wasn’t perfected until 1770 by Alexander Cumming and Joseph Bramah. Around 1850s, water cosets started moving inside the houses. In India Manusmriti: At least 40 hands distance is to be observed while urinating near a river or temple and defecation should be at least at a distance of 400 hands. Toilets were constructed only after Mughals came to India. Links O2Pod Meetup Podhead: Check out the newsletter and amazing podcast recommendations. unsplash-logo Gabor Monori

This week, we talk about the gangster who terrorised Madras in the 80s